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Rezko 'guilty' verdict handed down

by cynthia yoo | June 4, 2008 at 02:15 pm

229 views | 20 Recommendations | 3 comments

Fast on the heels of Obama claiming the Democratic nomiatnion, one of Obama's former fundraisers, Tony Rezko's Federal corruption trial concluded today.
The Jury found Rezko guilty on 16 of 24 counts which included influence-peddling and corruption.

Rezko, of course, made national headlines after the Clinton campaign highlighted his association with Senator Barack Obama, who among other ties, participated in a deal with Rezko in order to purchase a Chicago home.

Rezko has his fingers deep in Chicago politics. He was a big time fundraiser for Gov. Blagojevich and his influence with the administration is a key point in the trial. Among other things, Rezko is accused of a pay to play scheme, wherein he solicited kickbacks from companies seeking government contracts under Blagojevich. It is alleged that some $10,000 from that scheme was donated to Senator Obama's campaign. The Senator has since donated the Rezko money to charity.

Senator Obama has called his dealings with Rezko "boneheaded." Obama's name came up very little at the trial, and is not accused of anything illegal.

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Albert Milliron

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:21 on June 4th, 2008

cynthia yoo, I like this story. It's good stuff. good catch. News services say Obamas name came up onlty twice

Jennings David L

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:55 on June 4th, 2008

cynthia yoo, good story. I'm sure we will hear more about this now that Senator Obama has the nomination for his party. I always wonder about the "donation" to charity. Does that mean he gets to write it off on his taxes?